ABC, FOX SPORTS, Asian Cup LOC and FFA announce deal for free to air broadcast of Asian Cup Football

Posted 27th October 2014

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ABC TV has been confirmed as the official, free-to-air broadcaster for the biggest football tournament ever staged in Australia, the AFC Asian Cup international football tournament being held in early 2015.

Broadcast rights holders of the event, FOX SPORTS, along with the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 Local Organising Committee, Football Federation Australia and the ABC, said they had reached agreement on key terms of the broadcast deal, which will make all Socceroos games in the tournament available on free to air television, as well as the anticipated Japan versus Australia Friendly on November 18.

The deal means every match of the tournament will receive commercial-free FTA coverage on the ABC through a nightly highlights show at 10pm. ABC Radio is also the official Radio Broadcaster for the AFC Asian Cup, complementing its role as the radio destination for the A League.

The package of up to nine games, will see the Japan Friendly, and all Socceroos Finals matches in the Asian Cup broadcast live, while pool matches and other Finals* will be on delay following the FOX SPORTS live coverage.

Director of Television, Richard Finlayson, said the ABC was honoured to be able to work with FOX SPORTS to bring a major international event, featuring one of Australia’s most-loved teams, to all Australians.

“We felt strongly that this significant sporting and cultural event should be made available to all Australians, and with additional support from the FFA, we were able to work out a deal with FOX SPORTS to release some key games,” he said.

FOX SPORTS chief executive officer, Patrick Delany, said FOX SPORTS was in Football for the long-haul and that the ABC partnership would help lift the already rapidly growing profile of the sport amongst the broad Australian public.

“We have been a huge supporter and partner of football in Australia for the past 10 years and as the momentum of football has grown, we made a decision in good faith to allow the ABC to broadcast parts of the Asian Cup this summer. We agree that opening this monumental event to a new audience is something of value to all parties involved.”

Michael Brown, CEO of the Asian Cup Local Organising Committee, said the agreement between the broadcasters will “create an even bigger audience for a once-in-a-generation event that will put Australia firmly in the Asian and indeed global spotlight”.

“The AFC Asian Cup is Asia’s biggest single-sport event, where 32 matches will be played in 23 days across five host cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Newcastle.

“It means Australians will be able to watch the key matches on delay on their national broadcaster, as well as enjoying the fabulous live coverage on FOX SPORTS.

“With less than three months until kick-off, the ABC’s involvement increases the sense of excitement and anticipation around a major world event that is coming to Australian shores for the first time.”

FFA CEO, David Gallop, said Australians were set for a set for an unprecedented feast of world class football, in their own backyard.

“The stature of the event has been recognised by the Federal, NSW, Queensland, Victoria and ACT Governments who have generously supported the event. To have a multi-platform, subscription and free to air broadcast partnership gives all Australians the chance to watch the Socceroos as they strive to achieve the mantle of Asia’s best football team.

“The FFA has strong relationships with a number of broadcasters and in this case the ABC was uniquely positioned, across TV, Radio and Online to join with us and Fox Sports in bringing the AFC Asian Cup to as many Australians as possible.”

* All ABCTV matches will also be made available streamed on iview, concurrent with the TV broadcast.

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